Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the West of Östergötland, Unit of Research and Development in Local Health Care, County of Östergötland.

Background. Research in decision-making has identified heuristics(rules of thumb) as shortcuts to simplify search and choice.

Objective. To find out if GPs recognize the use of rules ofthumb and if they could describe what they looked like.

Methods. An explorative and descriptive study was set up usingfocus group interviews. The interview guide contained the questions:Do you recognize the use of rules of thumb? Are you able togive some examples? What are the benefits and dangers in usingrules of thumb? Where do they come from? The interviews weretranscribed and analysed using the templates in the interviewguide, and the examples of rules were classified by editinganalysis.

Results. Four groups with 23 GPs were interviewed. GPs recognizedusing rules of thumb, producing examples covering differentaspects of the consultation. The rules for somatic problemswere formulated as axiomatic simplified medical knowledge andtaken for granted, while rules for psychosocial problems wereformulated as expressions of individual experience and werefollowed by an explanation. The rules seemed unaffected by thesparse objections given. A GP’s clinical experience wasjudged a prerequisite for applying the rules. The origin ofmany rules was via word-of-mouth from a colleague. The GPs acknowledgedthe benefits of using the rules, thereby simplifying work.

Conclusion. GPs recognize the use of rules of thumb as an immediateand semiconscious kind of knowledge that could be called tacitknowledge. Using rules of thumb might explain why practice remainsunchanged although educational activities result in more elaborateknowledge.

Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the West of Östergötland, Unit of Research and Development in Local Health Care, County of Östergötland.

Background. Rules of thumb used by GPs could be considered asempirical evidence of intuition and a link between science andpractice in general practice.

Objective. The purpose of the present study was to analyse thedescription of the application of rules of thumb with regardto different situations in general practice.

Methods. An explorative and descriptive study was started withfocus group interviews. Four groups with 23 GPs were interviewed.The interviews were transcribed and analysed, and the rulesand their application were classified by an editing analysis.

Results. A specific set of rules of thumb was used for rapidassessment, when emergency and psychosocial problems were identified.When the main focus of the problems was identified as somaticor psychosocial, the GPs did not disregard the other aspectsbut described the use of rules in a simultaneous individualizingand generalizing process. The rules contained probability reasoningand risk assessment.

Conclusion. Rules of thumb seemed to serve as a link betweentheoretical knowledge and practical experience and were usedby the GPs in an act of balance between the individual and thegeneral perspective.

A diagnosis-antibiotic prescribing study was performed in 5 counties in Sweden during 1week in November in the y 2000 and 2002, respectively. As part of the study, the characteristics and clinical management of patients who received diagnoses of urinary tract infections (UTIs) (n=1564) in primary care, were analysed. 85% of the visits were by women, and 74% of all consultations were diagnosed as lower UTIs. One or more diagnostic tests were performed in 98% of the women with suspected lower or recurrent UTIs and 95% were prescribed an antibiotic. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for lower UTIs were trimethoprim followed by pivmecillinam and a quinolone. The study indicated a change in antibiotic prescribing with improved adherence to the national recommendations. There was an increase of prescribed nitrofurantoin and a decrease of prescribed quinolones to women with lower UTIs between the studied y. Furthermore, 3-d treatment with trimethoprim increased although the prescribed duration was mostly 7 d. In contrast to the guidelines, few urine cultures were performed. The study highlights the necessity of updating the guidelines for the management of lower UTIs in general practice.

A diagnosis/antibiotic prescribing study was performed in 5 counties in Sweden for 1 week in November 2000. As part of this study, the characteristics and clinical management of patients with upper respiratory tract infections (n = 2899) in primary care were analyzed. Almost half of the patients were aged < 15 y and one-fifth of the patients consulted out of hours. Of all patients seeking primary care for upper respiratory tract infections, 56.0% were prescribed an antibiotic. Almost all patients who were given the diagnoses streptococcal tonsillitis, acute otitis media or acute sinusitis were prescribed antibiotics, compared to 10% of patients with common cold or acute pharyngitis. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was penicillin V (79.2%) and this was even more pronounced out of hours, when the diagnoses otitis media and streptococcal tonsillitis were more frequently used. In patients with common cold and acute pharyngitis, the percentage who received antibiotics increased with increasing length of symptoms and increasing CRP levels. In patients with acute pharyngitis or streptococcal tonsillitis, antibiotics were prescribed less frequently provided streptococcal tests were performed. The management of patients with upper respiratory tract infections in general practice seems to be in good agreement with current Swedish guidelines. However, the study indicates some areas for improvement. The diagnosis of acute sinusitis seems to have been overestimated and used only to justify antibiotic treatment.

A diagnosis-antibiotic prescribing study was performed in 5 counties in Sweden during 1 week in November in 2000 and 2002 respectively. As a part of the study, the use and results of C-reactive protein (CRP) tests in relation to duration of symptoms and antibiotic prescribing in 6778 patients assigned a diagnosis of respiratory tract infections were analysed. In almost half (42%) of the patients, a CRP test was performed. The majority of CRP tests (69%) were performed in patients assigned diagnosis upper respiratory tract infection, where the test is not recommended. Overall, there was a minor decrease in antibiotic prescribing when CRP was used (41%), in comparison to 44% of the patients where no CRP was performed (p<0.01). Patients assigned diagnoses implying a bacterial aetiology were prescribed antibiotics irrespective of result of CRP or length of symptoms before consultation. For patients assigned viral diagnoses, antibiotic prescribing increased with increasing duration of symptoms and increasing value of CRP. The use of CRP decreased antibiotic prescribing in patients assigned to viral diagnoses and with longstanding symptoms (p<0.001). However, 59% of the patients assigned viral diagnoses with CRP≥25 received antibiotics, which seems to indicate a misinterpretation of CRP and a non-optimal use of antibiotics.

The aim of this study is to present diagnostic patterns, diagnostics used and antibiotic treatment in relation to guidelines in 3 repeated diagnosis-prescription studies conducted simultaneously in general practice in 5 Swedish counties, during 1 week in November 2000, 2002 and 2005. General practitioners (GPs) at the participating health centres were asked to complete a form for all patients with symptoms of an infectious disease. During the studied periods a total of 15,371 consultations was registered. Consultations with GPs diagnosed as respiratory tract infection (RTI), especially consultations for sore throat, decreased considerably between y 2000 and 2005. The percentage of patients allocated an RTI diagnosis and prescribed an antibiotic declined significantly from 54% to 49% and the decline was most pronounced among children. Penicillin V remained the dominant antibiotic prescribed throughout the study periods. For lower urinary tract infections there was a significant change in choice of prescribed antibiotics with an increase for pivmecillinam and nitrofurantoin and a decrease for trimethoprim, in accordance with recommendations. The results indicate a quite close adherence to current guidelines, with changes in the pattern of consultations as well as in the management of infectious diseases in general practice in Sweden.

Objective To evaluate the concept that increased post-void residual urine volume (PVR) is a risk factor for bacteriuria. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Three nursing homes in Jönköping, southern Sweden. Subjects A total of 147 elderly residents in municipal nursing homes. Main outcome values PVR volumes measured with a portable ultrasonic bladder scan, urine specimen, and questionnaire data on incontinence, immobility, impaired cognition, neurological diseases, and medications. Results Mean age was 86 years and 78% were women. The prevalence of a PVR for the four chosen cut-off values (30, 50, 100, and 150 ml) was 51%, 39%, 20%, and 7%, respectively. The prevalence of bacteriuria was 42%, 46% for women and 28% for men. Elevated PVR was not associated with bacteriuria, incontinence, immobility, impaired cognition or neurological disease (stroke, Parkinson's disease). Conclusion Bacteriuria and elevated PVR are common among elderly residents in nursing homes. The study could not confirm that elevated PVR predisposes to bacteriuria in elderly residents in nursing homes.

We investigated whether discoloured sputum and feeling unwell were associated with antibiotic prescription and benefit from antibiotic treatment for acute cough/lower respiratory tract infection (LTRI) in a prospective study of 3,402 adults in 13 countries. A two-level model investigated the association between producing discoloured sputum or feeling generally unwell and an antibiotic prescription. A three-level model investigated the association between an antibiotic prescription and symptom resolution. Patients producing discoloured sputum were prescribed antibiotics more frequently than those not producing sputum (OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.1-5.0), unlike those producing clear/white sputum (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.61-1.48). Antibiotic prescription was not associated with a greater rate or magnitude of symptom score resolution (as measured by a 13-item questionnaire completed by patients each day) among those who: produced yellow (coefficient 0.00; p=0.68) or green (coefficient -0.01; p=0.11) sputum; reported any of three categories of feeling unwell; or produced discoloured sputum and felt generally unwell (coefficient -0.01; p=0.19). Adults with acute cough/LRTI presenting in primary care settings with discoloured sputum were prescribed antibiotics more often compared to those not producing sputum. Sputum colour, alone or together with feeling generally unwell, was not associated with recovery or benefit from antibiotic treatment.

Acute cough/lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is one of the commonest reasons for consulting and antibiotic prescribing. There are theoretical reasons why treatment with particular antibiotic classes may aid recovery more than others, but empirical, pragmatic evidence is lacking. We investigated whether treatment with a particular antibiotic class (amoxicillin) was more strongly associated with symptom score resolution and time to patients reporting recovery than each of eight other antibiotic classes or no antibiotic treatment for acute cough/LRTI. Clinicians recorded history, examination findings, symptom severity and antibiotic treatment for 3402 patients in a 13 country prospective observational study of adults presenting in 14 primary care research networks with acute cough/LRTI. 2714 patients completed a symptom score daily for up to 28 days and recorded the day on which they felt recovered. A three-level autoregressive moving average model (1,1) model investigated logged daily symptom scores to analyse symptom resolution. A two-level survival model analysed time to reported recovery. Clinical presentation was controlled for using clinician-recorded symptoms, sputum colour, temperature, age, co-morbidities, smoking status and duration of illness prior to consultation. Compared with amoxicillin, no antibiotic class (and no antibiotic treatment) was associated with clinically relevant improved symptom resolution (all coefficients in the range -0.02 to 0.01 and all P values greater than 0.12). No antibiotic class (and no antibiotic treatment) was associated with faster time to recovery than amoxicillin. Treatment by antibiotic class was not associated with symptom resolution or time to recovery in adults presenting to primary care with acute cough/LRTI.

Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the West of Östergötland, Unit of Research and Development in Local Health Care, County of Östergötland.

A 1-y retrospective study of problem oriented electronic patient records, for encounters concerning respiratory tract infection, was performed. The aim was to analyse the management of respiratory tract infections in primary health care in terms of diagnostic coding, tests and antibiotic treatment using data from electronic patient records. 12 primary health care centres with a registered population of 102,050 residents in 3 counties in southeast Sweden participated. Data were retrieved electronically from records of patient encounters concerning respiratory tract infections. The data were: patient age and gender, date of contact, diagnostic code, CRP and GABHS tests and results, as well as antibiotic prescriptions. In a total of 19,965 encounters, the most frequent diagnoses were common cold (40%), acute tonsillitis (18%), and acute bronchitis (15%). A total of 4445 GABHS tests (in 22% of encounters) and 6141 CRP tests (31%) were performed, and both tests were done in 1910 encounters (10%). A total of 7934 antibiotic prescriptions were registered. The proportion of patients tested and prescribed an antibiotic varied greatly between centres. We found an excessive, and much varying, use of rapid tests in encounters for respiratory tract infections. Data retrieval from electronic patient record systems was a feasible method to study the use of laboratory tests in relation to pharmacological treatment.

Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the West of Östergötland, Unit of Research and Development in Local Health Care, County of Östergötland.

Borgquist, Lars

Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the West of Östergötland, Unit of Research and Development in Local Health Care, County of Östergötland.

Diagnoses and antibiotic treatments were analysed in relation to respiratory tract infections (RTI). A 1-y retrospective study was made of electronic patient records (EPR) for encounters concerning RTIs in primary health care in Sweden. The study covered a registered population of 102,050 individuals at 12 primary health care centres in 3 counties. Data were recorded on number of episodes, encounters, diagnostic codes and antibiotic prescriptions. The yearly number of episodes of RTIs was 16,964 or 166 per 1000 inhabitants per y. The total number of encounters was 19,965. The most frequent diagnoses were common cold (40%), acute tonsillitis (18%), and acute bronchitis (15%). The yearly number of antibiotic prescriptions was 7961, accounting for 47% of the episodes or 78 per 1000 inhabitants per y. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were phenoxymethylpenicillin (61%), tetracyclines (18%) and macrolides 8%). Standard EPRs provide a feasible source of clinical information which, taking limitations into consideration, could be used for the follow-up of trends in antibiotic prescribing and of adherence to guidelines with regard to RTIs.

Background. Infections are the most commonly reported health problems in children. Younger age and day care outside the home are two factors of importance for infectious morbidity. The influence of siblings on infectious symptoms is not clear. Objectives. To compare families with one child and families with more than one child in terms of reported infectious symptoms, physician consultations and antibiotic prescriptions. Methods. A prospective population-based survey was performed. During 1 month, all infectious symptoms, physician consultations and antibiotic prescriptions for 18-month-old children were noted by the parents. The 789 families also answered questions about socio-economic factors, numbers of siblings in the family and type of day care. Results. No difference in number of symptom days was found between children with and without older siblings. Neither could we find any significance in terms of having older siblings in relation to physician consultations and antibiotic prescriptions. Conclusions. The results of our study indicate that having older siblings not was important in relation to number of symptoms days, physician consultations or antibiotic prescriptions for 18-month-old children in Sweden today. Changes in social activities and attitudes towards antibiotic prescription may explain our different findings as compared with previous Swedish studies and studies from other countries.

Background Respiratory tract infections are the most common reason for antibiotic prescription in Sweden as in other countries. The prescription rates vary markedly in different countries, counties and municipalities. The reasons for these variations in prescription rate are not obvious.

Aim To find possible explanations for different antibiotic prescription rates in children.

Design of study Prospective population based study.

Setting All child health clinics in four municipalities in Sweden which, according to official statistics, had high antibiotic prescription rates, and all child health clinics in three municipalities which had low antibiotic prescription rates.

Method During one month, parents recorded all infectious symptoms, physician consultations and antibiotic treatments, from 848 18-month-old children in a log book. The parents also answered a questionnaire about socioeconomic factors and concern about infectious diseases.

Results Antibiotics were prescribed to 11.6% of the children in the high prescription area and 4.7% in the low prescription area during the study month (crude odds ratio [OR] = 2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45 to 4.93). After multiple logistic regression analyses taking account of socioeconomic factors, concern about infectious illness, number of symptom days and physician consultations, differences in antibiotic prescription rates remained (adjusted OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.14 to 5.98). The variable that impacted most on antibiotic prescription rates, although it was not relevant to the geographical differences, was a high level of concern about infectious illness in the family.

Conclusions The differences in antibiotic prescription rates could not be explained by socioeconomic factors, concern about infectious illness, number of symptom days and physician consultations. The differences may be attributable to different prescription behaviour.

Objective. Respiratory tract infections are the most common indication for antibiotic prescribing in primary care. The value of clinical findings in lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) is known to be overrated. This study aimed to determine the independent influence of a point of care test (POCT) for C-reactive protein (CRP) on the prescription of antibiotics in patients with acute cough or symptoms suggestive of LRTI, and how symptoms and chest findings influence the decision to prescribe when the test is and is not used. Design. Prospective observational study of presentation and management of acute cough/LRTI in adults. Setting. Primary care research networks in Norway, Sweden, and Wales. Subjects. Adult patients contacting their GP with symptoms of acute cough/LRTI. Main outcome measures. Predictors of antibiotic prescribing were evaluated in those tested and those not tested with a POCT for CRP using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results. A total of 803 patients were recruited in the three networks. Among the 372 patients tested with a POCT for CRP, the CRP value was the strongest independent predictor of antibiotic prescribing, with an odds ratio (OR) of CRP andgt;= 50 mg/L of 98.1. Crackles on auscultation and a patient preference for antibiotics perceived by the GP were the strongest predictors of antibiotic prescribing when the CRP test was not used. Conclusions. The CRP result is a major influence in the decision whether or not to prescribe antibiotics for acute cough. Clinicians attach less weight to discoloured sputum and abnormal lung sounds when a CRP value is available. CRP testing could prevent undue reliance on clinical features that poorly predict benefit from antibiotic treatment.

Objective. To investigate whether treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) could be withdrawn for elderly residents who had been on treatment for at least one year and to evaluate a method for systematic drug review.

Design. Open, prospective, interventional study.

Setting. Four counties in Sweden. Subjects. Elderly residents at 19 nursing homes, with ongoing treatment with SSRIs for more than one year.

Results. About one-third of all 822 residents in the nursing homes had ongoing antidepressant treatment, predominantly with SSRIs; 75% of them had been treated with SSRIs for at least one year and 119 (60%) of these were considered eligible for the study. The intervention was judged successful in 52% of these residents of whom 88% had a MADRS rating of less than 20 points. The GPs and the nurses experienced the method as practicable.

Conclusions. Withdrawal of SSRI treatment was successful in the majority of cases. The MADRS may be a valuable addition to clinical evaluation when deciding whether to end or continue SSRI treatment.

Background Lower-respiratory-tract infection is one of the most common acute illnesses managed in primary care. Few placebo-controlled studies of antibiotics have been done, and overall effectiveness (particularly in subgroups such as older people) is debated. We aimed to compare the benefits and harms of amoxicillin for acute lower-respiratory-tract infection with those of placebo both overall and in patients aged 60 years or older. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods Patients older than 18 years with acute lower-respiratory-tract infections (cough of andlt;= 28 days duration) in whom pneumonia was not suspected were randomly assigned (1:1) to either amoxicillin (1 g three times daily for 7 days) or placebo by computer-generated random numbers. Our primary outcome was duration of symptoms rated "moderately bad" or worse. Secondary outcomes were symptom severity in days 2-4 and new or worsening symptoms. Investigators and patients were masked to treatment allocation. This trial is registered with EudraCT (2007-001586-15), UKCRN Portfolio (ID 4175), ISRCTN (52261229), and FWO (G.0274.08N). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanFindings 1038 patients were assigned to the amoxicillin group and 1023 to the placebo group. Neither duration of symptoms rated "moderately bad" or worse (hazard ratio 1.06, 95% CI 0.96-1.18; p=0.229) nor mean symptom severity (1.69 with placebo vs 1.62 with amoxicillin; difference 0.07 [95% CI -0.15 to 0.007]; p=0.074) differed significantly between groups. New or worsening symptoms were significantly less common in the amoxicillin group than in the placebo group (162 [15.9%] of 1021 patients vs 194 [19.3%] of 1006; p=0-043; number needed to treat 30). Cases of nausea, rash, or diarrhoea were significantly more common in the amoxidllin group than in the placebo group (number needed to harm 21,95% CI 11-174; p=0.025), and one case of anaphylaxis was noted with amoxicillin. Two patients in the placebo group and one in the ammdcillin group needed to be admitted to hospital; no study-related deaths were noted. We noted no evidence of selective benefit in patients aged 60 years or older (n=595). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanInterpretation When pneumonia is not suspected clinically, amoxicillin provides little benefit for acute lower-respiratory-tract infection in primary care both overall and in patients aged 60 years or more, and causes slight harms. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanFunding European Commission Framework Programme 6, UK National Institute for Health Research, Barcelona Ciberde Enfermedades Respiratorias, and Research Foundation Flanders.

A diagnosis-antibiotic prescribing study initiated by the Swedish Strategic Programme for the Rational Use of Antimicrobial Agents and Surveillance of Resistance was performed in 5 counties in Sweden (total 1,290,000 inhabitants) during 1 week in November 2000. The aims of the study were to analyse diagnoses and antibiotics prescribed for outpatients and to appraise the feasibility of the data collection method. Physicians in primary care and departments of ENT, paediatrics and infectious diseases completed a questionnaire for each patient with an infectious disease complaint, including information about age, sex, diagnosis, diagnostic methods used and treatment. When an antibiotic was prescribed, the type and duration of treatment were noted. A total of 7, 071 forms were returned, of which 7,029 included information on diagnosis, infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and the skin or soft tissues were responsible for 70%, 14% and 10% of the visits, respectively. Antibiotics were prescribed in 59% of all cases and phenoxymethylpenicillin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic. Of the forms returned, 94% emanated from primary care centres. In conclusion, this study provides information on the treatment pattern associated with various diagnoses and the pattern of use of various antibiotics. Such a study is relatively simple to perform and entails only a small extra workload for the participants.

Background: Increased prevalence of resistance in major pathogens decreases the possibility to treat common infectious conditions. In the beginning of the 1990s, resistant pneumococci spread among children in southern Sweden, which alarmed both the profession and the medical authorities. We describe the measures taken to curb the spread of resistance and to reduce the use of antibiotics in outpatient care.

Method: A national organization, Strama (Swedish Strategic Programme for the Rational Use of Antimicrobial Agents and Surveillance of Resistance), was initiated in 1994 and a regional committee was formed in Jönköping County in 1995. A multifaceted program was started aiming at reducing antibiotic use in the county by 25% and that the prevalence of resistant pneumococci should not increase.

Results: The efforts by the Jönköping County committee has resulted in a 31% total reduction of the consumption of antibiotic drugs in primary care between 1993 and 2005 and a 50% reduction among children aged 0 to 4 years. There has been no increase in the prevalence of resistant pneumococci or Haemophilus influenzae in the county. The decrease in antibiotic use was greater than the average in Sweden.

Conclusion: Our regional efforts have been successful. This has probably been achieved by a sustained strategy including repeated campaigns in the media, information to the profession, implementation of guidelines, and feedback to the profession on data on antibiotic prescribing and resistance. We believe it is of outmost importance not only to inform the profession but also the public on the limited effects of antibiotics in most respiratory tract infections.

Renal function decreases with age. Dosage adjustment according to renal function is indicated for many drugs, in order to avoid adverse reactions of medications and/or aggravation of renal impairment. There are several ways to assess renal function in the elderly, but no way is ideal. The aim of the study was to explore renal function in elderly subjects in nursing homes and the use of pharmaceuticals that may be harmful to patients with renal impairment.

Reduced renal function (cystatin C-estimated GFR < 60 ml/min) was seen in 53%. Normal s-creatinine was seen in 41% of those with renal impairment. Renal risk drugs were rather rarely prescribed, with exception for ACE-inhibitors. Poor concordance was seen between the GFR estimates as concluded by other studies.

Conclusions

The physician has to be observant on renal function when prescribing medications to the elderly patient and not only rely on s-creatinine level. GFR has to be estimated before prescribing renal risk drugs, but using different estimates may give divergence in the results.

Increasing use of antibiotics and the spread of resistant pneumococcal clones in the early 1990s alarmed the medical profession and medical authorities in Sweden. Strama (Swedish Strategic Programme for the Rational Use of Antimicrobial Agents and Surveillance of Resistance) was therefore started in 1994 to provide surveillance of antibiotic use and resistance, and to implement the rational use of antibiotics and development of new knowledge. Between 1995 and 2004, antibiotic use for outpatients decreased from 15.7 to 12.6 defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day and from 536 to 410 prescriptions per 1000 inhabitants per year. The reduction was most prominent in children aged 5–14 years (52%) and for macrolides (65%). During this period, the number of hospital admissions for acute mastoiditis, rhinosinusitis, and quinsy (peritonsillar abscess) was stable or declining. Although the epidemic spread in southern Sweden of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae was curbed, the national frequency increased from 4% to 6%. Resistance remained low in most other bacterial species during this period. This multidisciplinary, coordinated programme has contributed to the reduction of antibiotic use without measurable negative consequences. However, antibiotic resistance in several bacterial species is slowly increasing, which has led to calls for continued sustained efforts to preserve the effectiveness of available antibiotics.

Patients: Patients visiting primary healthcare units in Kalmar County for an RTI between 1 July 1999 and 31 December 2005. Main outcome measures. RTI diagnoses, antibiotic prescriptions, age groups.

Results: A total of 240 447 visits for RTI made between 1999 and 2005 were analysed. The yearly consultation rates for the diagnoses acute tonsillitis and AOM decreased by 12% and 10%, respectively (p = 0.001). Of all patients consulting for an RTI diagnosis, 45% received antibiotics. Of all prescribed antibiotics, 60% were for phenoxymethylpenicillin (PcV) and 18% doxycycline. Amoxicillin or amoxicillin + clavulanic acid was prescribed to a lesser extent. The proportion of patients obtaining an antibiotic prescription was almost constant over time (44-46%). The prescriptions of doxycycline showed increasing values (NS). The prescriptions of remaining antibiotics decreased significantly especially for patients up to middle age.

Conclusion: This large population study, comprising more than six years of observations, showed the number of primary healthcare patients receiving an RTI diagnosis decreased during the period 1999-2005, but the proportion of patients receiving an antibiotic prescription remained the same. The large seasonal variations indicate a need for further interventions to decrease antibiotic use for RTIs.

The aim of this retrospective study of electronic patient records in primary health care in Kalmar County, Sweden, was to describe consultations for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in relation to age, choice of antibiotics and the use of rapid diagnostic tests. During the period 1999-2005, 240,445 visits for RTI were recorded. Children aged andlt;2 y and especially those aged 2-16 y with acute otitis media (AOM), showed decreasing consultations between 2000 and 2005. The consultations for sore throat declined during the study period in all age groups and in 65% of these, antibiotics were prescribed, primarily penicillin V (82%). In sore throat, a positive Strep-A test result was followed by antibiotic prescription in about 92% of cases, when negative, the antibiotic prescription rate was 40%. C-reactive protein (CRP) was analyzed in 36% of all consultations for RTI. In common cold and acute bronchitis, the prescription rates of antibiotics rose with rising CRP. The results show that near-patient tests were used extensively, but often not in accordance with the guidelines. Antibiotic use decreased mainly as a consequence of declined visiting frequencies. This indicates that the new guidelines for AOM and sore throat may have influenced patient consultation habits more than physician prescribing habits.

Conclusion: The study indicates that an active ‘‘wait and see’’ policy during the first 3 days can be justified in most children with otorrhea but antibiotics should be considered in children who initially present with abundant purulent secretion and pulsating eardrum.

Objectives: To study the clinical recovery of acute otitis media (AOM) with otorrhea in children managed initially without antibiotics.

Methods: Children aged 2-16, presenting with AOM and spontaneous otorrhea, were followed. Specimens for bacterial investigations were obtained, and symptoms were registered on daily basis. The main outcome measures were the frequency of patients treated with antibiotics due to persisting AOM within 9 days in relation to clinical and bacteriologic findings and new AOM within 3 months.

Results: Twelve of 71 children who completed the trial received antibiotics during the first nine days due to lack of improvement, one child after 16 days due to recurrent AOM and six had new AOM after 30 days. A.otitidis was found in 23 samples, S.pneumoniae in 12, S.pyogenes in 6, F.nucleatum in five. M.pneumoniae, C.pneumoniae and F.necrophorum could not be detected Antibiotics were prescribed more extensively to patients with pulsating eardrum and abundant purulent secretion. All patients with presence of S.pyogenes received antibiotics.

Objective. To study the clinical recovery from acute otitis media (AOM) in children, 2-16 years of age, managed with or without treatment with phenoxymethylpenicillin (PcV).

Design. An open, prospective randomized trial. Children aged between 2 and 16 years, presenting with one- or double-sided AOM (without perforation) with symptom duration of less than four days, were included. The children were randomized to PcV for five days or to no primary antibiotic treatment. A health score and compliance were registered on a daily basis for seven days. Setting. A total of 32 health centres and 72 GPs in south-east Sweden.

Subjects. Children aged 2-16 presenting with earache. Main outcome measures. Recovery time, symptom duration, frequency of complications (up to three months) and consumption of healthcare services independent of treatment with or without antibiotics.

Results. A total of 179 patients carried out the trial, 92 were randomized to PcV, 87 to no primary antibiotic treatment. The median recovery time was four days in both groups. Patients who received PcV had less pain (p <0.001) and used fewer analgesics. There were no significant differences in the number of middle-ear effusions or perforations at the final control after three months. Children randomized to PcV treatment consulted less (p <0.001) during the first seven days.

Conclusions. Our investigation supports that PcV treatment of AOM does not affect the recovery time or complication rates. PcV provided some symptomatic benefit in the treatment of AOM in otherwise healthy children, aged 2-16 years.

Randomised controlled trials have shown an excellent preventive effect of statins on ischemic heart disease. Our objective was to investigate if a relation can be detected between acute myocardial infarction- (AMI) mortality or incidence and statin utilisation, for men and women in different age-groups on a population basis.

Results

The utilisation rate of statins increased almost three times for both men and women between 1998 and 2002. During 1998-2000 the incidence of AMI decreased clearly for men but only slightly for women. Mortality decreased from 1998 to 2002. The change in statin utilisation from 1998 to 2000 showed no correlation to the change in AMI mortality from 2000 to 2002. Statin utilisation and AMI- incidence or mortality showed no correlations when adjusting for socio-economic deprivation, antidiabetic drugs and geographic coordinates.

Conclusions

Despite a widespread and increasing utilisation of statins, no correlation to the incidence or mortality of AMI could be detected. Other factors than increased statin treatment should be analysed especially when discussing the allocation of public resources.

Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the East of Östergötland, East County Primary Health Care.

Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Health and Society. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the West of Östergötland, Unit of Research and Development in Local Health Care, County of Östergötland.

Background: Chest pain is the main symptom of first presentation with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Little is known about the incidence of IHD among patients consulting the general practitioner (GP) for chest pain.

Aims: To estimate the occurrence of IHD among patients consulting for chest pain, to study the results of the bicycle exercise test, and to estimate the incidence of IHD in the population.

Design of study: Prospective descriptive study.

Setting: Three primary health centres in south-eastern Sweden

Method: All patients without a current IHD diagnosis, aged 20 to 79 years, and consulting for a new episode of chest pain, were included consecutively. The outcome was classified as IHD, possible IHD or not IHD, according to the results of a postal questionnaire, an exercise test or hospital care. Data from the hospital registry on patients with a diagnosis of IHD were analysed retrospectively.

Results: Out of 38 075 GP consultations, 577 (1.5%) were for chest pain. IHD was diagnosed in 41 (8%) of the chest pain patients, in 41 (83%) the diagnosis was excluded, and in 50 (9%) the diagnosis was judged as being uncertain. Even though the diagnostic criteria were strict, the exercise tests led to a diagnostic conclusion in 77% of the cases, most frequently a normal test result. Combining data from primary and hospital care, the yearly incidence of IHD was 6.5 diagnosed per 1000 inhabitants (aged 20 to 79 years old).

Conclusion: The incidence of a new episode of chest pain bringing the patient to the GP was low. Eight per cent of the patients received an IHD diagnosis, and in 9% further investigation or clinical assessment is needed.

43.

Nilsson, Staffan

et al.

Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, General Practice. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in the East of Östergötland, East County Primary Health Care.

Methods: All chest pain patients aged 20-79 years, attending three primary health-care centres in south-east Sweden and assessed by the GP to have high, low or very low probability of IHD, were included consecutively over a two year period. The “GP action in daily practice” was classed as “active decisions” (investigation or treatment) or “wait and see”. “IHD” or “not IHD” was settled according to the results of acute hospital investigation or exercise testing/myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Results: 516 patients were included, 93 high, 145 low and 278 very low probability cases. The outcome was “IHD” in 47%, 9% and 1% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the “GP assessment of the probability of IHD” were 72% and 89%. The sensitivity and specificity of the “GP action in daily practice” were 88% and 72%, respectively. The negative predictive value was 98%.

Conclusion: GP assessment, after clinical evaluation, that the probability of IHD was low did not safely rule out IHD. GP action in daily practice however, indicates that general practice is an appropriate level of care for chest pain patients.

Background: Screening for bacterial colonization and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among a defined population could aid in the identification of at-risk populations and provide targets for antibiotic stewardship and infection control programmes. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-eight participants at 11 Swedish nursing homes underwent serial screening for colonization with Escherichia coli between March 2008 and September 2010. Seventy-two of the 268 participants (27%) were male. The median age was 85 y. Samples were collected from urine, the rectal mucosa, the groin, and active skin lesions. Results: Two hundred and nine of 268 participants (78%) were colonized with E. coli at any body site/fluid. The specific colonization rates were 81% (rectum), 48% (urine), 30% (groin), 59% (unknown), and 13% (skin lesion). An antibiotic-resistant E. coli isolate was identified in 18% of all participants regardless of colonization status; all together, 87 resistant isolates were detected. Only 1 participant carried isolates with resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (cefotaxime and ceftazidime). Conclusions: The presence of resistance was generally low, and the greater part of the resistant cases was connected with 3 common antibiotics: ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and ciprofloxacin. In spite of generally increasing resistance against third-generation cephalosporins in E. coli in Sweden, this study does not implicate residence at a Swedish nursing home as a risk factor for the acquisition of expressed cephalosporin resistance.

The aim of this study was to present and assess the treatment of infections in Swedish nursing homes. It included 58 nursing homes with 3002 residents. During 3 months, nurses in the nursing homes recorded all infections requiring a physician's opinion. Of the 889 infectious episodes, 84% were treated with antibiotics. Many of the antibiotics were issued after indirect contact with the physician (38%). Indications for antibiotics were in 55% of the cases urinary tract infections (UTI), in 17% skin and soft-tissue infections and in 15% respiratory tract infections (RTI). The most common antibiotics were penicillins (38%), followed by quinolones (23%) and trimethoprim (18%). For the major indication, lower UTI in women, half of the cases were not treated according to the recommendations. The main concerns were length of treatment and overprescribing of quinolones. For the second major diagnosis, pneumonia, the high use of doxycycline could be questioned. Continuing education on infections and their treatment in nursing homes is needed. Training should preferably include both physicians and nurses as a high proportion of antibiotics is issued without direct contact with the physician.

Objective To evaluate the concept that increased post-void residual urine volume (PVR) is a risk factor for bacteriuria. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Three nursing homes in Jönköping, southern Sweden. Subjects A total of 147 elderly residents in municipal nursing homes. Main outcome values PVR volumes measured with a portable ultrasonic bladder scan, urine specimen, and questionnaire data on incontinence, immobility, impaired cognition, neurological diseases, and medications. Results Mean age was 86 years and 78% were women. The prevalence of a PVR for the four chosen cut-off values (30, 50, 100, and 150 ml) was 51%, 39%, 20%, and 7%, respectively. The prevalence of bacteriuria was 42%, 46% for women and 28% for men. Elevated PVR was not associated with bacteriuria, incontinence, immobility, impaired cognition or neurological disease (stroke, Parkinson's disease). Conclusion Bacteriuria and elevated PVR are common among elderly residents in nursing homes. The study could not confirm that elevated PVR predisposes to bacteriuria in elderly residents in nursing homes.

Objective. Searching for useful diagnostic tools to discriminate between asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and acute cystitis, this study compared urinary levels of cytokines/chemokines and leukocyte esterase in three groups of elderly subjects; those with acute cystitis, those with ASB, and those without bacteriuria. Design. Comparative laboratory. Setting. Primary care. Subjects. A total of 16 patients with acute cystitis, 24 subjects with ASB, and 20 controls without bacteriuria, all of whom were aged 80 or over. Main outcome measures. Urinary levels of IL-1, TNF-, IL-12, IL-18, CXCL1 (GRO-), CXCL8 (IL-8), CCL2 (MCP-1), IL-6, IL-10, and leukocyte esterase. Results. Urinary levels of CXCL1, CXCL8, and IL-6 were significantly higher in acute cystitis patients than in the ASB group. The sensitivities and specificities for CXCL8, IL-6, and leukocyte esterase to discriminate between acute cystitis and ASB were 63% (95% CI 36-84) and 96% (95% CI 77-100) (cut-off 285 pg/mg creatinine), 81% (95% CI 54-95) and 96% (95% CI 77-100) (cut-off 30 pg/mg creatinine), and 88% (95% CI 60-98) and 79% (95% CI 57-92) (cut-off 2, on a scale of 0-4), respectively. Conclusions. The results indicate that measurement of urinary cytokines, and also leukocyte esterase, when using a cut-off value 2, could be useful in clinical practice to discriminate between symptomatic and asymptomatic urinary tract infections in the elderly. A combination of IL-6 and leukocyte esterase could be even more useful. This needs to be evaluated in prospective studies on the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections in an elderly population.